Daily Pulse for March 9, 2012

Web Street Golf Daily Pulse
VOLUME 3, NUMBER 49                                                         
Friday, March 9, 2012

ANY IDEA WHO SAID THIS? “I spent a month on the couch recovering from a tonsillectomy. That wasn't a lot of fun.”

BRAIN TEASER: As of February 27th, 24 of the top 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking were 2012 PGA TOUR members. Do you know the only player in the top 25 that isn't?

DEATH OF A SALESMAN: Longitudes Group has released its 2012 Market Trend Report on USA Off-Course Golf retail. It's a case of more of the same as the reduction in Off-course stores continued its slide. According to its research, the golf market has experienced a 44% reduction in stores since 2006, which equates to over 722 closures. That year marked the peak before the economic downturn that brought many retail sectors devastating losses. "Big Box‟ golf stores maintained key momentum creating a vacuum in many markets as more independents closed up shop unable to compete with vast selections and inventories. These "Big Box‟ stores now represent 30% of all stores and 70% of all retail space in the channel, according to Longitudes proprietary research.

Some of its key findings of the 2012 research include:
Total square footage of off-course retail decreased by 4%, while the number of total off-course doors decreased by 16%.
Six out of the top 10 cities, ranked by Off-course square footage, experienced net losses in both the number of doors and total square footage.
Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith, and PGA Tour Superstores account for 48% of the total market square footage, up from 42% the year prior.
Boston experienced the greatest increase in square footage with 69% growth primarily represented by the Canadian retailer, Golf Town, entering the area with five new stores.
Los Angeles, CA suffered the largest number of net store closings (10) followed by Orlando, FL (8) and New York, NY with (7) net closures.


"Although the market continues to contract, more than 85 new stores opened in 2011 demonstrating that some retail groups see opportunities and are moving aggressively," stated Sara Killeen, President of Longitudes Group. "Channel consolidation continues as the dominant golf retail brands put tremendous competitive pressure on the smaller independents."

The twenty-one (21) page report is available through Longitudes Group website, http://www.longitudesgroup.com/industries/golf/retail It is priced at $395 per copy.

MARCH MADNESS: Golfsmith is swinging into the Chattanooga market. The new location marks Golfsmith’s 80th store and its first store to open in 2012 as part of the company’s aggressive expansion strategy that includes 10 new store openings and three relocations this year. Today and tomorrow, the first 500 customers in line before the doors open will receive one of the following absolutely free - a $20 Golfsmith card or a free two-pack of golf balls. Customers can also register all weekend long for a chance to win prizes totaling more than $10,000 including drivers, iron sets, bags, balls, apparel and much more. Winners will be selected during a random drawing at the close of business on Sunday, March 11th.

“Golfsmith’s experiential concept will make most golfers’ jaws drop as soon as they walk through our doors. Chattanooga’s customers can experience a concept not offered by other area golf retailers,” said Golfsmith CEO Marty Hanaka. “We are a golfer’s paradise because our goal is to help golfers of all skill levels play better and find the best solutions for their game. We offer a great product selection with the best equipment from brands like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, PING and MacGregor. We offer guaranteed low prices on everything we sell and have a commitment to exceptional customer service by the best retail professionals in the business, all of whom have a passion and a deep understanding of the game of golf.”

FEBRUARY’S BEST OF THE BEST: Phil Mickelson has been voted February’s PGA TOUR Player of the Month presented by Avis. As the official rental car company of the PGA TOUR, Avis will make a $50,000 contribution to the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation, which support a variety of youth and family initiatives through involvement with Start Smart and the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy.

Mickelson received 42 percent of the votes and outpolled Kyle Stanley, Bill Haas and Hunter Mahan. The four were nominated by a panel of national media for their performances during the month of February. "It's an honor to be selected as the Player of the Month for February," said Mickelson. “The PGA TOUR has wonderful partners, and Amy and I are appreciative of the opportunity to help our foundation.”

WEB GEMS:

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: Jarrod Lyle has been struck down by leukemia for a second time. The 30-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as a 17-year-old but overcame nine months of bed rest and chemotherapy treatments to become a professional golfer on the US PGA Tour. Close friend and fellow Australian golfer Robert Allenby, who befriended Lyle during his first stint with cancer, was shocked. “It's a complete tragedy,” Allenby said.
“But I told him he has beaten it before and he can beat it again. He has a big fight on his hands but he has the motivation of being the father and husband he wants to be which will give him strength.” READ MORE>>>

GEORGIA ON HIS MIND: After this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship, the next time you'll see Rory McIlroy will be at Augusta National Golf Club for the 76th Masters Tournament. The world's No. 1-ranked golfer said after opening with 73 at Doral on Thursday that he would skip the next three weeks to get ready for the Masters, as he did last year. READ MORE>>>

HAVE CLUBS WILL TRAVEL: The number of struggling former long-time PGA Tour players heading to Europe is on the increase with former Augusta National winning hero Mike Weir set to make his European Tour debut at next week’s Andalucian Open in Spain. Weir, 41 has not played a European Tour since contesting the 2007 Hong Kong Open as part of the 2008 schedule. READ MORE>>>

OLE! Ignored in the discussion of the burgeoning rivalry between Woods and the new world No. 1, Rory McIlroy, was that García was once Woods’s projected foil. His opening round Thursday was a microcosm of his career. “It’s golf,” he said after capping his round with a 7 at No. 18. READ MORE>>>

ANSWERS: Adam Scott said, “I spent a month on the couch recovering from a tonsillectomy. That wasn't a lot of fun.”

The only player that is in the top 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking that isn’t a 2012 PGA TOUR member is Germany’s Martin Kaymer.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IS BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, BUT IT IS NOT GUARANTEED. THE OPINION EXPRESSED IS THAT OF TERRY MCANDREW AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A SOLICITATION TO BUY OR SELL SECURITIES IN ANY OF THE COMPANIES DISCUSSED WITHIN THIS NEWSLETTER. CONTENTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER MAY NOT BE REPRINTED OR REBROADCAST WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF TMAC GOLF